Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. The expansion in ministerial duties arises from the increasing complexity of policy issues, the challenges associated with managing extensive Government initiatives and the enhanced engagement with stakeholders at all levels both domestically and internationally. It is very important that we ground this discussion in wider societal and economic developments.

Based on population estimates from the Central Statistics Office, the population has grown from 4.4 million people in 2007 to 5.4 million people last year. That is a 30% growth in population since 2007. In less than 20 years, we have 1 million extra people in our population. These are facts and statistics that are evidence-based and come directly from the CSO. In addition, the number of those aged over 65 has increased as a share of the overall population from 10.8% to 15.5% over the same period. I am pleased that my colleague, the Minister of State, Mary Butler, will have special responsibility for older people, given that this is an increasing demographic with increasing challenges.

The increase in the number of people coming to live and work in Ireland is a welcome consequence of the growth in our economy, in job opportunities and in social and public services. Nevertheless, this growth requires an increased focus to deliver public services across multiple functions. For example, the overall increase in immigration and the support Ireland has extended to asylum seekers and people coming from areas of conflict present the challenge of effectively integrating the greater number of immigrants settling into Ireland in the medium to long term. Appointing a Minister of State with special responsibility for migration to address these issues strategically will support the Government in managing this area specifically and effectively.

Many of the emerging challenges we face are interdisciplinary and necessitate cross-departmental responses. New ministerial responsibilities at Minister of State level will be delegated to ensure that there is an appropriate focus across all Government priority areas. Through improved cross-departmental working and promoting simultaneous action, Ministers of State will enable a more cohesive approach to delivering the programme for Government.

I reiterate that we are appointing three Ministers of State through this Bill. They include Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibilities for fisheries, and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibilities for the marine.As the former Minister of State and now Senator, Malcolm Noonan, mentioned earlier, he was hoping that this would be a specific role at Cabinet level. With the current limitations on ministerial positions it is not possible to ensure we have everything covered at Cabinet level. That is why it is important that we have Ministers of State with specific responsibilities. This is an example of that. Such a Minister of State would provide much needed support to both of those Departments, which, as set out by the Taoiseach, will focus in the coming years on a range of really necessary activities. The Government will also appoint a Minister of State at the Department of Justice with special responsibility for migration. As already indicated by the Taoiseach, the Department of Justice will be significantly reformed to make sure it is focused on our programme of action. The new Minister of State will support the Minister on the work that will be carried out to address Government activity on migration. A new division in the Department of Justice will be responsible for the control of our border, for management of immigration and for co-ordination of integration.

We will be appointing a Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education with special responsibility for further education, apprenticeships, construction and climate skills. This new Minister of State will play a key role in supporting the Minister in his efforts to ensure we maximise the economic impact of the investment we make in those really critical sectors. We talk all the time about needing more apprentices, and people with construction skills and climate skills, to ensure that as we deliver on our housing agenda, we do so in a way that really makes sense.

As mentioned by the Taoiseach, the Government also plans to secure the financial foundations and implement measures to systematically consider the science and research dimensions of Government initiatives. The additional Ministers of State will allow necessary additional functions on vital areas of public policy that have been outlined here and in the Dáil many times by NGOs and by those working in these areas and will play a really valuable role in the delivery of our extensive programme for Government. I appreciate the Senator's point in relation to accountability over three months. It is the Senator's prerogative to table a Commencement matter to look at the progress over those three months. However, I am very clear that these are three areas in which we absolutely need investment and greater strategic leadership. That is exactly what these Ministers of State will provide.